THE LEADER'S REPORT: WEEK OF JUNE 25, 2007

After just six months in office, House Democrats are keeping our promises and moving our nation in a new direction. The minimum wage will be increased for the first time in a decade, hundreds of thousands of children will not be kicked off their health insurance, and the hurricane victims of the Gulf Coast are receiving overdue assistance. Democrats have changed the Iraq debate in a critical way, and are investing in military readiness and veterans' health care.

This past week, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill that will invest in important research to make our nation energy independent and combat global warming, as well as clean air and water programs, and the Financial Services Appropriations bill that will help states implement the Help America Vote Act, close the tax gap, and increase efforts to cut off funding to terrorists.

While these accomplishments are significant, our work has just begun. We will continue to address the issues that are important to the American people.

Yesterday, the House Democratic Leadership unveiled a comprehensive energy package that will make this July 4th an Energy Independence Day. The package includes measures to reduce dependence on foreign oil by investing in homegrown biofuels and reduce energy costs by promoting efficiency and smarter technologies.

In July, Democrats will continue our efforts to responsibly redeploy our troops from Iraq, rather than continuing with the President's stay-the course strategy, by voting on a proposal that calls for redeployment from Iraq to begin within 120 days and to be completed no later than April 1, 2008. We have changed the debate on Iraq, and now we are pressuring Republicans and working to grow the votes to end the war. Education and energy independence will be at the top of the agenda as well, and we will also complete consideration of the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bills that invest in America's priorities. Democrats are listening to the American people, and we are committed to moving a positive agenda forward.

This week, the House Democratic Leadership and Committee Chairmen unveiled a comprehensive energy package designed to reduce dependence on foreign oil. Majority Leader Hoyer said that energy indepedence is crucial for strengthening our national security, and will reduce energy costs by promoting efficiency and smarter technology.

Majority Leader Hoyer denounced the Supreme Court's decision yesterday, saying that it threatens to reverse decades of effort to ensure that all Americans are given an equal opportunity for a quality education. Read release

Hoyer Statement on Anniversary of Civil Rights Act

Commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act, which occurs Monday, July 2nd, Majority Leader Hoyer said that the Civil Rights Act changed the course of this nation's history, and while the progress made as a result is significant, more must be done to make equal opportunity a reality.

Despite intense opposition from President Bush and Rubberstamp Republicans on many issues, Democrats are working hard to pass legislation that moves America in a new direction and addresses the issues ignored by Republicans for the past six years.

After six months in the Majority, House and Senate Democrats are changing the debate on the war in Iraq. Under pressure from Democrats and the American public, an increasing number of Senate Republicans are distancing themselves from the President's failed policy, even as House Republicans continue to cling to it.